Thread feeding and clamping device



Sept. 17, 1957 L. MARCOFF-MOGHADAM THREAD FEEDING AND CLAMPING DEVICE Filed July 11, 1956 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Sept. 17, 1957 Filed July 11, 1956 L. MARCOFF-MOGHADAM THREAD FEEDING AND CLAMPING DEVICE 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 IIIPAEEH 1 IN VENTOR MAKA W M0;///70/9/-/,

ATTORNEY 5 2,866,659 THREAD FEEDING AND CLAMPING DEVICE Leon Marcofi-Moghadam, Washington, D. C., now by change of name to Leo Markoif-Moghadam Application July 11, 1956, Serial No. 597,192

2 Claims. ((Il. 242-1253) This invention relates to a device for preventing thread, yarn, wire, or the like, from unreeling from a spool upon which it has been wound.

This application is a continuation-in-part of my ap plication Serial No. 589,627, filed June 6, 1956, now abandoned.

Thread, yarn, wire, string, and the like are usually sold on spools, usually of wood, but sometimes of other materials. After the initial use of some of the thread it is difiicult to keep the thread from unreeling from the spool and from becoming tangled. Where a housewife or seamstress, for example, keeps a number of spools of thread of different colors in a sewing box or basket, this becomes somewhat of a problem. Manufacturers of thread, in an effort to solve the problem, have placed angular notches in the periphery of one end of the spool, in which notches the end of the thread may be disposed and retained when the thread is being stored. Such notches are somewhat satisfactory, but frequently breakage occurs so that the wood material adjacent to the notch breaks off, eliminating the notch completely. Moreover, even where the notch remains, it has not proved satisfactory with cer tain types of thread, such as with nylon which, because of its slippery surface, is diflicult to retain in any one position.

The present invention is designed to overcome these diiiiculties. Generally, it is comprised of a spindle or the like adapted to be disposed within the central bore of the spool and having one or more arms extending outwardly from the spindle and then down over the thread surface of the spool, these arms having means through which the end of the thread is disposed so that it may be drawn from the spool as desired, but also having means for clampingly engaging the thread when so desired so as to prevent unwanted unreeling. The spindle itself which is disposed within the axial bore of the spool has a handle or holding means and also wedging means so as to enable the spindle, selectively, either to be loosely disposed within the axial bore so as to permit rotation of the spool about the spindle, or so as to be wedged in the bore so as to be rigid with the spool. In the loose position thread may be removed from the spool, while in the wedged position, the spool may not rotate on the spindle and the thread is clampingly engaged. The thread is thus positively prevented from unreeling from the spool.

The principal object of the invention is to provide such a device.

While the invention may take many physical forms, the accompanying drawings show some of the preferred embodiments. In these drawings:

Fig. 1 is a side elevational view of one form of the invention showing the thread clampingly engaged;

Fig. 2 is a similar view with the thread not engaged, part of the structure being shown in cross section;

Fig. 3 is a side elevational view of the same device (partially in section) showing the spindle wedged in the axial bore of the spool so that the spindle and spool are rigid with respect to each other;

ice

Fig. 4 is a top plan view of one form of the thread clamping means;

Fig. 5 is a similar view of another form of a thread clamping means;

Fig. 6 is a side elevational view of a modified form of spindle.

Fig. 7 is a front elevational view of the same;

Fig. 8 is a section view taken on the line 8t8 of Fig. 6;

Fig. 9 is a side elevational View of a modified form showing a spindle having two thread clamping means extending outwardly in opposite directions;

Fig. 10 is a sectional view taken on the line 10-10 of Fig. 9;

Fig. 11 is a side elevational view, partially in section, showing another embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 12 is an enlarged detail view, partially in section, of a part of the device illustrated in Fig. 11;

Fig. 13 is a perspective view showing another embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 14 is an enlarged detail view showing the thread clampingly engaged in one form of thread-clamping means in accordance with the invention;

Fig. 15 is an enlarged detail view, partially in section, showing the end of the thread-clamping means illustrated in Figs. 1, 2, 3, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 and 13;

Fig. 16 is a perspective view of another embodiment;

Fig. 17 is a cross-sectional view of the same taken on the line 17-17 of Fig. 16 and showing the device in thread-clamping position;

Fig. 18 is a similar cross-sectional view showing the device in thread-guiding position;

Fig. 19 is a top view of another modification; and

Fig. 20 is a partial side elevation of still another modification.

With reference first to the embodiment of the invention illustrated in Figs. 1, 2, and 3, the reference number 1 indicates a spool upon which thread 2 is wound. The spool 1 may be of the usual type and made of wood and is provided with a central axial bore 3.

The thread retaining device which is the subject of this invention is comprised of a spindle 4 which is cylindrical and of a diameter so that it fits loosely within the bore 3 of the spool 1. The spindle 4 preferably should extend downwardly well within the bore 3. The device also includes a knob 5 which is attached to or is integral with the spindle 4 and by which the device may be grasped. The spindle 4, adjacent the knob 5, is of greater diameter than the axial bore 3, and this portion of greater diameter 6 is joined to the main part of the spindle 4 by means of a tapered section which provides a frustoconical wedge 7. The arrangement is such that when the device is disposed with the spindle 4 within the axial bore 3 of the spool, and is then pressed downwardly, the wedge 7 will engage the edge of the bore as shown in Fig. 3 so that the spool and the device become rigid with respect to each other.

On the other hand, if the spindle 4 is not pressed downwardly and rests loosely within the axial bore as illustrated in Fig. 2, and the spool is placed on a surface, such as a table top, it is possible to hold the device by the knob 5 and then, to withdraw thread from the spool, causing the spool to rotate about the spindle 4 as this occurs.

The device which is comprised of the spindle 4, the knob 5, and the portions 6 and 7, may be of wood or of plastic, or of any suitable material. In the form shown it is of plastic.

Carried by the part 6 is the thread guide and clamping device 9. This is of special construction and the thread clamping portions thereof may be made in accordance with those disclosed in my prior Patents Nos. 2,715,486

3 and 2,716,515, or in my application Serial No. 481,868, filed January 14, 1955.

Generally, the thread guide and clamping device 5! may be formed from wire bent and twisted in the form shown in Fig. 4 where it is illustrated as comprising two strands of wire and 11 twisted at each'end 12 and 13, respectively, so as to leave an intermediate loop 14. In the embodiment under discussion the device shown in Fig. 4 has its twisted end 12 embedded in the portion 6 of the device (see Fig. 2) so as to be firmly carried thereby. The loop portion 14 and the twisted end 13 extend radially from the device and are then bent downwardly in the manner illustrated in Figs. 2 and. 3. If desired, a small plastic or metal bead orball 15 may be disposed on the twisted end 13.

Carried by the portion 6 just below the knob 5 is a thread severing means which may be comprised of a blade 16 or the like. This may be embedded in the portion 6 with a small blade only partly exposed.

In use, the thread 2 is passed through the intermediate loop 14 of the thread guiding and clamping device as shown in Fig. 2. When it is desired to withdraw thread the knob 5 is grasped by the fingers and the thread is pulled laterally and upwardly until the desired amount is withdrawn. The thread may then be cut by drawing it over the blade 16.

Then, to prevent the thread from unreeling further from the spool, the knob 5 is pushed down to cause the wedge portion 7 to engage the edge of the bore 3 as shown in Fig. 3, to prevent further rotation of the spool. The end of the thread is then pulled back so as to cause it to become clampingly engaged between the strands comprising the twisted end 13. In so doing, the clamping means is sprung downwardly so that when released it will tend to spring upwardly, thus holding the thread taut as shown in Fig. 1. In such position the thread will not unreel and may be stored or placed in a sewing basket or box with other spools without fear of the threads becoming tangled.

When it is desired to remove more thread from the spool 1, it is only necessary 'to pull the thread 2 from its clamped position, back into the loop 14, and pull the spindel 4 by knob 5 to its loose position shown in Fig. 2.

Figs. 6, 7 and 8 show an arrangement which is generally similar to that illustrated in Figs. 1, 2, and 3, except that the wire arm, instead of coming out radially from the spindle parallel with the upper surface of the spool 1, and then downwardly at right angles parallel to the side of the spool, comes outwardlyand downwardly at an acute angle (as at 17) with respect to the end of the spool, and then downwardly. In other respects the device shown in Figs. 6, 7, and 8 may be the same as that illustrated in Figs. 1 to 3, inclusive, the loop 18 being similar to loop 14, and twisted end 19 being similar to the twisted end 113 of the firstembodiment.

The device operates in the same manner asthat shown in Figs. 1 to 3.

The thread loop and the clamping means may take the form as shownin Fig. 5. Here the loop 20 is provided with a twisted end portion 21; In this instance the end 22 may be disposed about the portion 6 of the device or may be partially embedded therein so as to be carried rigidly by the portion 6.

In Figs. 9 and 10 there is a modified form of thread guiding and clamping means which consists of an arrangement similar to that shown in Fig. 4 but so embedded within the portion 6 of the device as to have two laterally and downwardly extending loop arms 23 and 24, respectively, each having its twisted strand thread clamping ends 25 and 26, respectively. A knife 27 may be pro vided. Except for this double arm arrangement this embodiment would operate the same as the embodiments heretofore described.

Another form of the invention is illustrated in Figs. 11

4 and 12. Like the embodiment in the previous figures, the device is made up of a spindle 28 and a knob 29 with an enlarged portion 30 with a tapered frusto-conical portion 31 which is adapted to wedge within the bore 3 of the spool 1. In this modification in accordance with Figs. 11 and 12, however, there is an arm 32 which extends outwardly from the portion 30 in which it may be embedded or to which it may be attached rigidly. Integral with this arm 32, which may be of strip metal or the like, is a rectangular frame. This is comprised of parallel side members 33 and 34 and bottom member 35 and a cross member 36. The upper member is preferably comprised of the end portion of the arm 32. The arrangement just described, when the device is in operative position, is disposed in a plane which is radial to the axis of the spindle 28 and the spool 1. Secured to the upper end of the frame is a thread cutting edge 37. This may take any suitable form.

This frame carries the thread guide and thread clamping means. This may, for example, be in the form shown in Fig. 4 but disposed vertically with the twisted end 12 carried by the upper portion of the frame and the lower twisted end portion 13 disposed adjacent the end member 35 of the frame, but not connected thereto.

The operation of this particular embodiment is similar to that heretofore disclosed in that the device is adapted to be inserted in the axial bore of a spool of thread and either to permit the spool to rotate about the spindle 28 when the device is loosely disposed, or to prevent such rotary movement of the spool when the device is pressed down into the spool so that the wedge portion 31 engages the edges of the axial bore of the spool.

The thread 2 (see Fig. 11) is passed through the loop 14. When thread is being withdrawn from the spool the cross-bar 36 limits the upward movement of the thread so as to keep the thread below the upper edge of the top of the spool and from slipping over the top.

When the user has sufficient thread for a given purpose,

the thread may be severed from the spool merely by drawing it upwardly overthe cutting edge 37 and then pulling downwardlyso as to sever the thread by means of this cutting edge.

, Still another embodiment of the invention is disclosed in Fig. 13. In this instance the main portion of the device is the same, but instead of having an arm 32 to which a frame is attached as inFig. 11, it is provided with a rigid arm 38 which extends radially outwards and then downwards parallel to the side of the spool. At the outer end of the arm 38 is a thread guide eyelet 39 adapted to receive the thread. In this embodiment of Fig. 13 a thread clamping means 40 is provided. It is generally similar to that shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3 but extends from the portion 6 along the arm 38 and then downwardly and outwardly at an angle. Its two strands of wire 41, 42 form a loop 43, and terminate in a twisted end portion 44 similar to the twisted end portion 13 of the first embodiment. If desired, a knife 45 may be embedded in the spindle just below the knob.

In use the thread 2 is first passed through eyelet 39 and then through loop 43. The operation is similar to the other embodiments insofar as rotation of the spool and clamping of the thread is concerned.

It has alreadybeen mentioned that the thread guiding and clamping means may be made similarly to the trailing links disclosed in my previous Patents Nos. 2,715,486 and 2,716,515. As there disclosed, means would be made of highly resilient wire of the type, for example, known as music wire. Where made of two strands of such wire the strands would form :an intermediate loop closed at each end by twisting the strands together in a plurality of twists. It is the twisted strands at one end portion which form the thread clamping means, the thread passe through the loop being pulled in between the twisted strands.

The twisted strands at the clamping end portion are preferably not soldered or otherwise secured as this sometimes tends to cause them to become rigid and perhaps to cut the thread when it is pulled into clamping position too tightly. When not soldered or otherwise made rigid the twisted strands provide what is believed to be an elastic wedge effect. As the thread is forced into clamping position the twisted strands provide a progressively increasing spring wedge effect (or what can be called an elastic spring wedging effect). This is produced by (1) the elasticity of the coils (twists) decreasing with small radii of said coils, and (2) the sharpening of the wedge angle caused by applied tension.

In carrying out the present invention the twisted ends may be like any of those illustrated and described in either of my two prior patents hereinbefore mentioned.

Alternatively, the clamping means may be made of wire which is not highly resilient, or even of steel. In such instances the clamping is effected by a plain wedge action which does not produce an elastic wedge effect. In some instances this will prove satisfactory, particularly since there is but very little pull or strain exerted by the thread when it is merely being held from unreeling.

As shown in Fig.14 the twisted end portion may also be such that the twists are of different sizes with the twist adjacent the loop being the largest. This arrangement has the advantage of being capable of use with spools of difierent sized threads. It is apparent that larger sized threads may be clamped in the larger twists while the smaller twists will clampingly engage small diameter threads.

Fig. 15, as indicated, is an enlarged detail view, partially in section, showing a twisted end portion of the type shown for example in Figs. 1, 2 and 3.

In the embodiment according to Figs. 16, 17 and 18, the device is comprised of a fiat circular base 46 having a spindle 47 rigid therewith. Where the spindle 47 joins the base the spindle is enlarged and formed as a frustoconical wedge 48.

Removably secured to the upper end of the spindle 47, as by a screw connecton 49, is a flat circular top member 50. Preferably the circular top 50 and circular base 46 are of a diameter which is slightly greater than the diameter of the top and bottom of the spool 1.

The circular top 50 carries a thread guide and clamping device 51 comprised of two strands of Wire embedded at one end therein and extending outwardly a short distance and then downwardly parallel to the thread surface of the spool. As in the other embodiments the strands are twisted near the end to form a thread clamping portion, while the loop space just above the twisted end portion forms a thread guide.

Finally, the embodiment of Figs. 16, 17 and 18 is completed by a thread severing means carried by the base 46 and constituted by a blade 52.

In operation the device according to this modificatin operates much like the others. When it is desired to prevent the thread from unreeling from the spool, the parts are disposed in the position shown in Fig. 17 with the bore of the spool wedged on the frusto-conical wedge 48, and with the thread 2 clampingly engaged in the twisted end portion of the thread guide and clamping device 51. When it is desired to remove thread, the thread is pulled upwardly from the twisted end portion into the loop of device 51 and the spool bore is released from the wedge 48 as shown in Fig. 18. By holding he circular top and base between the thumb and forefinger of one hand and pulling on the thread with the other hand, the spool will rotate as the thread is removed therefrom.

The modification of Fig. 19 is similar except that either the base or top of the device (or both) is square or at least several sided so as to prevent the device from rolling when placed on a table top or other surface. Such a square top 53 is shown in Fig. 19.

Finally, the modification of Fig. 20 difiers primarily from the others in that the thread guide and clamping device 54 has a loop formed as a V the lower end of which terminates in a small twisted portion. The operation is similar to that already described.

One of the advantages of this present invention is that it can be used in connection not only with spools of thread of different sizes, but also with spools of other materials, such as yarn, cord, string, ribbon, surgical sutures, and wire. It is to be understood that the word thread as used herein is intended to cover any of the foregoing materials.

Morever, it should now be apparent that the invention can be employed with spools of different shapes, including, for example, those used for some kinds of wire and which are comprised of rather large parallel disc ends separated by a relatively narrow intermediate portion on which the wire is wound. It is, of course, essential that the spool have a central bore to receive the spindle of the device.

While in a general manner there has been disclosed what are deemed to be practical and efiicient embodiments of the invention, it should be well understood that the invention is not to be limited thereto as there might be changes made in the arrangement, disposition and form of the parts without departing from the principle of the invention as comprehended within the scope of the accompanying claims.

I claim:

1. A device for controlling the removal of thread from a spool, said device comprising thread guiding and clamping means, means for supporting the thread guiding and clamping means on a spool in position adjacent the thread surface of the spool, said last named means including a member having a spindle portion adapted to be inserted within the bore of the spool and about which the spool may be rotated, said member having a frustoconical wedge portion coaxially adjacent to and diverging from said spindle portion, the smaller diameter of said wedge portion being less than the diameter of the bore of the spool, whereby selectively the spool may be locked against rotation with respect to said spindle portion by wedging said frusto-conical portion in the bore of the spool, or the spool may be axially removed from said wedge portion and rotated on said spindle when it is desired to withdraw thread from the spool, said thread guiding and clamping means having a guide to guide the thread as it is being withdrawn and a clamp for clamping the thread when the spool is locked against rotation on the spindle portion.

2. A device as defined in claim 1, said guide comprising a rigid loop through which the thread may be passed for guiding the thread as it is being withdrawn from the spool, and said clamp being comprised of wire strands terminating in a spirally twisted portion which clampingly engages the thread when the thread is forced between the spirally twisted strands.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 467,689 Oakes Jan. 26, 1892 589,053 Webster Aug. 31, 1897 2,716,515 Moghadam Aug. 30, 1955 2,757,451 Johnson Aug. 7, 1956 

